18-11-2004

The Board and staff of Land & Water Australia have congratulated researchers Fiona Walsh and Paul Mitchell after their book Planning for Country recently won the Norman Waterhouse Excellence in Planning Award from the Planning Institute of Australia (SA).

The book, which was produced with the support of Land & Water Australia, the Indigenous Land Corporation and the World Wildlife Fund Australia, records the experience, passion and knowledge of people working in landcare, land management and community development in Central Australia. It was published by Alice Springs-based indigenous publisher IAD Press in conjunction with the Central Land Council.

The Norman Waterhouse Planning, Scholarship, Research and Training Award recognises an outstanding contribution to issues relating to rural or urban planning in Australia contained in a substantial report, book, thesis, article or piece of research. The book was also runner-up in the coveted Planning Minister's Award for best practice in planning.

In making the presentation the judges of the Award said: 'This is a very special text which presents, in an accessible and attractive fashion, an excellent guide to involving Aboriginal communities in a range of different contextual circumstances. This book should be compulsory reading for all students of planning and for all planning practitioners.'

Congratulating the Planning for Country production team the Executive Director of Land & Water Australia Andrew Campbell said the book has made a significant contribution to the management of Aboriginal Lands in Central Australia.

'The on-ground work of the researchers Fiona Walsh and Paul Mitchell has helped traditional owners to learn about the possibilities that land management and planning can open up,' Mr Campbell said.

'Planning for Country includes practical planning methods outlined in point form, and essays offering fascinating insights into indigenous cultural contexts and showing problem-solving in action.

'We congratulate Fiona, Paul and everyone involved in the production for the quality of their work, and in having their efforts recognised with these Planning Awards. Land & Water Australia is proud to have been involved in this major piece of work.'

Planning for Country: Cross cultural approaches to decision making on Aboriginal lands (rrp $45, ISBN 1 86465 037 0) is available from bookshops or online from IAD Press at http://www.iad.edu.au/press

ENDS

For more information or interview with the publishers, please contact Jane Hodson at the CLC on 08 8951 6211 or Kirsty Nancarrow at the IAD on 08 8951 1379.

For interview with Land & Water Australia Executive Director Andrew Campbell contact our Media Officer 02 62636000